Chicago Cubs Damage Own Playoff Hopes, Need Help To Claim Berth

The Chicago Cubs' chances of making the National League playoff hinges on them breaking a four-game losing streak and getting some help.

The Chicago Cubs made their chances of capturing a National League Wild Card berth worse on Friday night with a 4-3, 10-inning loss to the Milwaukee Brewers.

Entering the day, the Cubs (82-78) were a half-game behind the Miami Marlins (83-76) for the third and final Wild Card spot.

Well, the Cubs fell behind the Brewers, 3-0, rallied to tie the game and send it to extra innings and lost to the Brewers in the 10th inning.

Meanwhile, the Marlins — who are going to be misaligned in the standings because there is a game with the New York Mets that was suspended on Thursday — beat the Pittsburgh Pirates, 4-3.

The result was the Cubs falling 1.5 games behind the Marlins for the final spot. The Marlins’ magic number to clinch a playoff berth, for now, is two because the Cubs are only one win behind. That’s because of the suspended game which, by the way, the Marlins lead, 2-1.

That suspended game will probably be played Monday, though MLB may call it off if the Marlins have a Wild Card berth clinched by then, which at this rate is a real possibility.

To have any realistic chance of making the playoffs now, the Cubs need to win their remaining two games and get some help from Miami.

Below is an update on the race, with the current standings, magic numbers to clinch a Wild Card berth and the remaining schedules for the teams that are still in the race.

The NL Wild Card Race as of Sept. 30

Friday’s results

Philadelphia vs. New York Mets, ppd, rain (doubleheader on Saturday)

Houston 2, Arizona 1

Milwaukee 4, Chicago Cubs 3 (10 innings)

Miami 4, Pittsburgh 3

Cincinnati 19, St. Louis 2

Standings

(Top three teams clinch Wild Card berths)

Philadelphia (89-70): +6.5 Games (No. 4 Seed; will play No. 5 seed)

Arizona (84-76): — +0.5 GB (Magic Number to clinch playoff berth: 1)

Miami (83-76): — (Magic Number to clinch playoff berth: 2)

Chicago Cubs (82-78): — 1.5 GB

Cincinnati (82-78): — 1.5 GB

What’s Left?

Philadelphia (2): Saturday-Sunday: at New York Mets (3)

Chicago Cubs (2): Saturday-Sunday: at Milwaukee (2)

Arizona (2): Saturday-Sunday: vs. Houston (2)

Cincinnati (2): Saturday-Sunday: at St. Louis (2)

Miami (2): Saturday-Sunday: at Pittsburgh (2)